DRUG BUST CASH WILL AID PUBLIC

TAMPA - The biggest cocaine seizure in Hillsborough County history
could translate into playground equipment for community parks,
materials for teachers or clothes for migrant workers' children.

Some of the $4 million in cash seized this week from five suspected
drug dealers will find its way into Community Development Block
Grants, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

But the money won't be available anytime soon.

"The money that we seize, we have to hold on to it for a certain
amount of time," Carter said. "Eventually, it can be used for
grant-related items."

Some may be shared among law enforcement agencies that participated in
the case.

Three vehicles, including a 2005 Chrysler 300 valued at $30,000, could
be converted to sheriff's office vehicles or sold at auction.

"The vehicles that were seized will become our property," Carter
said.

The guns that were seized will stay in the evidence locker until all
the cases are disposed of in court, she said. "Then they will be
destroyed." Deputies also seized nearly $5 million worth of cocaine,
which will be destroyed.